Self Painted Mirror Caps

[Mikesav]

As all of you guys know, Pewter was not offered in 2004. Because of this, I have not not been able to find LPM mirror caps after 5 months of searching. I knew the only way to have them was to paint them myself. I got ahold of Alaska_AV and he assisted me in painting some. It was his brain (in Alaska) and my hands (in Arizona). They turned out awesome, just ask some Arizona members. I used duplicolor petwer touch up spray. Once again, thanks Alaska_AV for the help. Mike.

P.S. Here is a pic below

 

[Mongoose]

As all of you guys know, Pewter was not offered in 2004. Because of this, I have not not been able to find LPM mirror caps after 5 months of searching. I knew the only way to have them was to paint them myself. I got ahold of Alaska_AV and he assisted me in painting some. It was his brain (in Alaska) and my hands (in Arizona). They turned out awesome, just ask some Arizona members. I used duplicolor petwer touch up spray. Once again, thanks Alaska_AV for the help. Mike.

P.S. Here is a pic below

Really Awesome
How did you do it?
Pics of while doing??
Thanx

 

[KingVolcano]

Looks great, way to go!

Share the knowledge.

 

[Mikesav]

Remove them from vehicle first. I sanded down the texture with 150 grit sandpaper which was probably too coarse. Then I sprayed them 4-5 coats of Krylon sandable filler primer, wet sanding between coats with I think 600 grit sandpaper. I also let each coat dry before sanding. Once the primer was completely done, I used Duplicolor touch up spray can to paint them.

I did not sand between coats on the color because I was told you cannot do that with a metallic paint. I sprayed 3-4 coats of color, only waiting about 20-30 minutes between coats. Once I painted the color, I let them dry for about 5 days.

Then I sprayed 4-5 coats of clear, only waiting 20-30 minutes between coats. I also let them dry for 5 days.

Then I wet sanded with 1500 grit sand paper until surface was very smooth. Just be careful not to apply pressure when sanding, you will go throught the clear. Once I finished sanding, the finish was smooth, but dull.

I thought I had messed up until I talked to Alaska_AV for the 10th time . He reassured me that all I needed to do was rub the finish with a polishing compound and the dull will go away. I ran to Wal-mart at 11:30 pm and purchased the Turtle Wax polish (not rubbing compound). The polish has a red label and is not as abrasive as the rubbing compound. Then viola, they looked good. The clear is not as shiny as the rest of the truck, but it's hardly noticeably. It should be rectifide with more polishing. The paint matches up very very well. I waited about 45 days and polished again, then waxed with Meguires.

They look good-not bad for a scrub. PM me when you guys plan on doing yours. I think I still have the 10-12 helpful e-mails that Alask_AV had sent me. I made sure that I did not rush them because that's how I ususally screw things up . Thanks, MIke.

 

[Alaska_AV.]

Thank god they turned out good!.....LOL
good job Mike.


Jon

 

[KingVolcano]

Thanks for the info! It was worth your time, they look great!

 

[BlazerPride]

Hey, Mike,

If you were going to that much work, why didn't you paint the whole mirror?

Just a thought...

Anyone else paint their mirrors? Just wondering if it's feasible.

Yours look good, though. Good job.

 

[Mikesav]

Hey, that's funny that you mentioned painting the entire mirror . I actually thought of that, but this was the first real paint job that I have ever done. I wanted to try it on something small. It would have been awesome. Actually, I still think about it from time to time . Mike.